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If you were under the impression that cramming for the SATs was the last time you'd ever have to worry about vocabulary, you're mistaken. In interviews, the words you use are often viewed as related to your level of education and general aptitude. Whether you're applying for your first postcollege job or trying to break into the executive ranks, it may ...

A lot of job seekers go into interviews expecting to be grilled. They prep for the typical interrogation techniques and practice their answers to all the usual interview questions. They have their talking points tucked away in the back of their minds. But many job seekers fail to recognize that often the best interviews don't feel as much like interviews as ...

These are uncertain times, and in business, that translates to economic and market volatility. During such times, fear and frustration run rampant through an organization. Employees spread rumors, work less and jump ship, because they fear the unknown. Acquisitions, mergers, downsizing and unpredictable markets require dynamic leadership to maintain stability and productivity within an organization. Do you have what it takes ...

"I've got no skills! How am I going to qualify for a job after I graduate?" This is a common lament among college students, particularly liberal arts majors who don't see how their education will translate to the real world. But if you ever worry about not being attractive to employers, you shouldn't. First of all, nobody likes a whiner. A ...

The interviewer asks a rather simple question, yet it catches you off guard: "Why do you want to work for this company?" The obvious answer that comes to mind is, "Because you have an opening, and I need a job." While this may be true, it won't get you points in a job interview. The interviewer is looking for an answer ...

Once upon a time, a job seeker landed an interview, skimmed the prospective employer's annual report, wowed the hiring manager with a few company facts and strolled into his dream job. That late-'90s fairy tale rarely comes true these days. With employers in more control of the labor market, candidates feel compelled to give it their all when preparing for interviews. ...

You just got word that you landed a job interview with a company that really interests you - only there's a slight catch. You won't be meeting with your interviewer(s) face to face. Instead, you'll be taking part in a phone interview, the results of which will determine whether you're invited to meet with company representatives in person. Many companies use ...

What are Groups and Why Should You Care? GovCentral is the nation's premiere online law enforcement community, but with its daunting breadth, it can sometimes be difficult to navigate and find the specific niche with whom you have a particular affinity. That is why we created "Groups":http://govcentral.monster.com/groups. Groups are the perfect way to connect with GovCentral members on a more substantial ...

The month of April is the time when we hopefully can let go of blustery winter weather as we celebrate spring's entrance. A lesser-known fact about April is that it's a prime time for college graduates to look into government internships. However, before considering this option, know that you'll need to meet some basic requirements. First, you should already have your ...

Here's a question I see quite often on the Government Careers message board: I'm in my mid-career and am finding that my career is coming to an end because of downturns in my industry. The jobs are drying up, and my pay isn't keeping up with inflation, so I need to make a change soon. I'm thinking about working for the ...

Searching for a job in your home state can be a heavy task. Often times your career field or agency interests don't coincide with what's available in your specific locale. The fifty state profiles below provide short summaries of what federal departments and agencies dominate the federal employment picture in each state and links out to specific federal job searches for ...

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is posting draft 2008 salary tables on OPM's Website. OPM anticipates that the President will issue an executive order later this year to implement the 2008 pay rates. OPM will issue a separate memorandum confirming the final 2008 salary tables after the President signs the executive order. Alternative Plan Under the authority of 5 ...

The month of April is the time when we hopefully can let go of blustery winter weather as we celebrate spring's entrance. A lesser-known fact about April is that it's a prime time for college graduates to look into government internships. However, before considering this option, know that you'll need to meet some basic requirements. First, you should already have your ...

When starting your search for a federal government job, it is important to realize that using USAJOBS to your advantage is not merely an option, it is a necessity. Even job seekers who have networked with federal managers or have completed a government internship are required to go through the process. While some agencies have started working outside the USAJOBS portal, ...

Do you need more information on the federal employment forms that you will need to fill out to begin the federal hiring process? Over the past decade the overall number of federal employment forms has declined and many federal positions do not require any handwritten employment forms. Still, many job vacancy announcements identify one or two of the forms listed ...

The Federal Wage System (FWS) was developed to make the pay of Federal blue-collar workers comparable to prevailing private sector rates in each local wage area. Before the FWS, there was no central authority to establish wage equity for Federal trade, craft, and laboring employees. In 1965, President Johnson ordered the former Civil Service Commission to work with Federal agencies and ...

From the 1930s through the end of World War II, Washington, DC, was a great place for gays and lesbians to work. The federal government was growing, and the city was tolerant. But during the McCarthy era, hundreds of gays and lesbians were arrested as supposed national security threats; thousands of others lost their jobs. The tide turned again in the ...

According to the Office of Personnel Management's 2004 Fact Book, the federal government employs 2.7 million civilian workers, about 2 percent of America's total workforce. Forty-one percent of them have college degrees, but if you don't, don't worry. In many cases, related work experience can substitute for a diploma, an important consideration when 27 percent of those civilian workers - that's ...

The largest pool of federal job listings can be found at USAJOBS. Based on your bachelor's degree and years of experience, look for jobs at the GS-7 level and higher . Other options include: _Federal Internships_: These can be found at USAJOBS or by searching the Web site of the agency you're targeting. Many offer pay with benefits. _The Presidential Management ...

Government jobs offer you plenty of room to grow, so keep trying. There are usually about 15,000 jobs listed on USAJOBS every day. Listings can also be found on Avue Central. As for why you haven't succeeded so far in your search for a federal job, I'd look at two things: One, you may not be searching in the right places ...